Ancient Blood

Researching the bloodlines of the ancient Riverdans

Overview of the Riverdans

The Riverdans is an old territory of Dunstrand. It consists of small tracts, initially parceled to some of the first ruler’s knights. These holdings have been passed down heriditarily for years, taking great pride in preserving their bloodlines. Some blood lines have died out, and have been assimilated into the larger counties but many yet continue. The Nanford River changed course starting in 7950, devastating the Riverlands and taking from the ancient families their prominent position in Dunstrand political and economic scenes. These ‘dans are tracts are usually no more than a few dozen miles in each direction – though roads are in disrepair and traveling is rough. Lavish old keeps and manors with villages or small towns are the center of each, few have more than that single large center… although some have smaller villages on remote edges. The people of the Riverdans are bitter, singularly set in their ways and fiercely independent. There place has gradually been usurped by the larger counties. Since the river course changed, they have become destitute and dilapidated over time, but still cling to their traditions and ways proudly. The land is fertile enough, but control of all the trade is through routes and merchant houses owing their allegiance to the Twin River powers in the north. What happens in one territory tends to stay there, and they long ago took oaths so that no one could have power over the others and have clung to this loyalty over the ages. They also squabble and argue over borders and rights and cannot seem to band together in any way except to defend against military incursion. Faith is one of the few bonds of the Riverdans. The Green Church is strong, especially Rastur. Only the county of Bar-Innis has decent relations with them as it shares some of the historical period and meaning.